Educational game appliance



Patented @cti 16, 1923.

.ELIJAH A. ovnNsHrnn, on Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.' 'As'sIGNoaisY ivrEsNEASSIGN- MENTS, on ONE-HALF To onscNA.' Lovnaov; or LosANGELESCALIFQRN1AI` p EDUCATIGNAL GAL'WE I-LPLIANGIE.l

Application medrebruar'y 21, 1922. Y`serial No. 538,155.

To all whom/1f may concern:

Be it known that I, ELrJAH A. QvnNsHInE, a citizen of theUnlted States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county v of Los Angeles and Statey ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Educational Game Appliance,cation.y

A11 object of this invention is toV provide a game appliance'ofchfeapand'durableconstruction that is effective inamusing and entertaining alarge number of( players and which also Ywill be instrumental ineducating the participants in therespect'that itinculcates alertness andquickness in their mathematical' calculations.l To that end an applianceis providedV with an enclosed base having eldsrthereonin which arearranged a number of movable pins; and the fields andalso the movablepins are provided with numerals that are factors in the mathematiA calcalculations involved in the game'.

The movable pins have anumber of. flat faces preferably eight on whichare printed the -respective numerals from 1-to` 8; and a traveling topVis provided for moving in unknown courses over the fields and upset-'ting an unknown number'of: pins and both the number of pins upset .andthe position in which they fall are Vfactors of calculation in a game aswill be hereinafter explained.

Another object of invention is to provide a game employing a traveling.top that will move in unknown courses over the field to knock down anindeterminate numberof pins; and meansconnec'ted with the topby which itwill continuously travel during its entire spinning actiong'and in vthisrespect the invention is broadly new, basic 'and pioneer. z An object ofinventionV is to provide an instructive74 and` beneficial game of' skillin which any ,number of players can participate, and also which will -beof great interest to the bystanders or spectators; and which willbeinteresting `to both children and adults and lead them to become vadeptin mathematical calculationin keeping` a score of the game.V j An objectof inventionis to providev an instructive game that will be interestingfor a child' to play alone. f

Otherobjects, advantages and, vfr iatrines of of which the following is`a specifi-v kinvention appear from* the accompanyingdrawing, thesubjoined detailed descrip- 'tion andthe appended claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention. 'iv .y

rFigure 1 isaplan view of the appliance showing one arrangement andcoloringiof the fields lover .which .the traveling .top

moves. 1

.FgQZfis anenlarged fragmentalsection on line Fignl. f F1g.13isafperspective v i-ewqof the applianceshowing another arrangement ofthe iields, omitting the colors therefrom.

`Fig. 4 is avplan view of the travelingtop about vtwo thirds actualsize.` f

Fig. 5 is a section on line m5, FigQt. Fig. -is a developed view ofmovable pins e 'with the upper portion thereofbroken away, showing the.arrangement of the numeralsfrom l to. Sthereon whichl arrangements ofynumbers, is the same on all of :the pins.

The appliance comprises a'A Vrectangular base l mounted on legs 21l andprovided with sides 3 and ends 4, 1l, lthat form.a, walled enclosurethat can if desiredbecove'red by a removable top l,`as fragmentallyshown lin Fig. 2, and the appliance Vc`an' .fbe finished as a libraryordining room' table or as a game board; and within this enclosurearearrangedy thevfields a, I), c, d, that"ar epref era-bly colored asshown, thatfisthe iields c; tyd, are red andthe field b is green.However, itV is` yunderstood that the arrangement of the colorsfcanbevaried land any combination used without affecting the game as thecolors? simply add a pleasing and artisticfeffect tothe appliance.kAlso,I if desired, theH board can be divided into four plainluncc'loredrectangular fields that are separated bythe intersecting linescc-x' and QI/. v/jas shown in fFig. 3. .f

. nthe'fields aresystematically arranged stationary posts that areprovided to guard movable pins. The center pin e is normally arrangedatjapoint central ofthe-enclosurev and 'is guarded bygfour stationaryposts f that are spaced equidistant apart and l form a hollow squarearoundfthe pin;V and preferablymthere 'is' an easyplearance between theposts f so that ythetraveling top enter the hollow` square lto V,thepins; and the value of pin e when knocked down is 100 plus the numeralthat is on top-when itis thrown and at rest. That is when the -pin isknocked down it will fall y and rest con one of the eight facesnumberedA from 1 to 8 with the upper number counting. f For example ifthe pin falls and rests on the face 1 the face 5 will bek upward whichwhenadded t-o the base-number 100 4 'opposite 8, so that ifa pin isknocked down and resting on any one o'th'enu- Vmerals 1, '2, 3, 4 itscorresponding number 6, 7:01* 8 will be a counter and viceversa.

fil

Spacedequidistant from the positionings point of center pin c and inlongitudinalV alinement are the positioning .points for arrangement ofthe movableV pinsV g, It that are respectively guarded bythe stationaryposts z', y arranged inA hollow squares around their respective pins;and these pins when.

thrown over by the'traveling top have the counting value'ofrO, plus lthenumeralon the upper 'face' of the thrown pins.

At right angles toa longitudinal line .through the positioning points ofpins e,.g,

It, and equidistant from the positioning point of center pinl e arearranged the positloning vrpoints of the Vmovable pins la, Z that arerespectively provided with side guards m, m; andthe 'counting value or'rthese pins is 25 plus thenumeral on the upper face or the thrown pins.l

Neareach'corner of theencl'osure are arranged the positioning points forthe movable pins 0,79, g', and 9, each ofk which' has itsrespectiveguard s, t, 10,02," andthe counting value of thesepins is 25 plusthenumeral on the upper face of the thrown pin. Itis understood that thearrangement of pins and posts on the fields as described canVl'ie'altered it desired, to suit various games; vand the foregoingdisposition of pins and posts isV only one of the numerous arrangementsthat can be made of them.

A traveling topiA is'provided for moving over the respectiveelds agb,'0, and d, to knock down the respective pins e, g, h, lc, Z, 0, "ju,g,'and `@fand the number of vpins overturned depends considerably on theskill with which the tp is operated andthe effectiveness of theguardingposts which guard the pins in various directions from kthe top.

The travelingl topl may be variously constructed and is adapted'to runabout upon thesurfa'ce on which it spins. f Y l Thetop'is caused tocontinuously'travel during its entire "period of spinning action bymeanscfa Cylindrical stem having a bottom end inclined Q'Vdegrees tothesteins axis;

`which causes the topv when in action to rise on a semi-circular edgethat is oil center to the tops axis, and the rotary `motion of causesthe top to travel in circular courses as Aindicated by the dottedv andcontinuously curving line 2&2, Vshown in Fig. 3 as extending from theholder to spring top. WhileQ degrees is specified as the inclination ofthe stems base to its axis, it is understood vthat it can be more orless without altering the eiiect obtained by constructing the parts sothat the top' will spin on a semicircular edge ori' center to the topsaxis.

i The distance and direction in which the top will travel over the eldsdepends on the skill with which it is manipulated; andl afterwardsonvthe various efectscausedby the top contacting withthe enclosurewalls,

the ixed posts and movable pins. That is,l

when the `top 'contactswi'th' the renclosure walls,stationary posts ormovable pins it is deiected inanotherf direction b'yits 'rotary impact;so that it moves in unknown courses tary motion is imparted to itv bymeans of a string 7 extending over the top of the side wall 3 and thatis wound yaround the upper portion "of the tops stem 8 which extendsabove lsaid side wall and that is unwound vtheretromliy a sudden pullthat imparts rotary motion to the top.

The holder 6 has upper and lower retaining seats 9,10 in which the upperand'lower f ends of stem 8 are placed when rotary mo- .tion is to be'imparted to the `top by unwind- `ing string 7 as described, and theseats 9, 10 Y are open, toward the centerot the board .so l

thatthe toplcan jump. out ofthe holder *i and begin itstravel over thefields as soon as the unwinding action of the string 7 is completed. l eA The holder 6 is movable along a major portion of the end wall 11 sothat a selective means is provided for positioning the top relative toreleasing it. That is, aiplayer may elect to release the top fromftheright, center yor left of the end wall,vor from any of thek intermediatepoints; with the object or directing the top overan open course ortoward a stationary post or wall so that it will carom off to accomplishthe purpose of knocking-down allor a largev number of ,thel

movable pins. As hereinbefore stated k1the distance and course oftraveler the top dependfgreatly enA the skill with 4which it ismanipulated; such as the rotary speed imparted to the top andthedelicatecaroming effect of a finger touch as the top leaves the holder.A v A' ,e The holder is provided with the overhanging arms 12 thatareconnected by a plate 13 that contacts with the'outside of wall 11;and on the inside of the Wall is the retaining plate lion which areslidably mounted the extensions 15 of holder 6. A wearingplate 16V isinterposed between the overhanging arms12 and the upper surface of thewall 11. `It is understoodv that any holder can jbe used or anytopemployed except that in the top construction the spinning point mustlbeoff center to the tops axis or otherwise the top would not travel,preferably this spinning point is as stated,

' a semi-circular edge; however good results can be obtained byV variousformsfof off centery contacts but for the sake of brevity only one formof contact ofv Spinningk point is shown.

- iIfdesired means are provided for increasing the caroming effect ofthe topwhen it contacts with side walls or stationaryposts;

- the walls can be -provided with a resilient contact preferably arubber strip 17 that is rounded in cross section and which extendsentirely around the inner wall at a height to contact with the bodykofthe top; and the postsV are provided with resilient removable`contacts preferably rubber sleeves 18 that are slipped over the upperend ofthe posts in position tov contact with the top body.'

However, it is optional with the players whether the removable resilientsleeves are employed or not.

To facilitate the leveling of the board it is provided vwith adjustablelegs 2 that screw in or out of sockets 19 secured to theV bottom of thebase 1, see Fig. 2; andl an end and side wall are provided with spiritlevels 20, 21. to-indicate when the legs kare adjusted to the rightposition to hold the board level.

The top 5 is constructed with a body portion 22 that can be formed ofany material and in any desired shape; and connected to this body isa-stem 8 having a reduced portion 23 on which the string 7 is wound; andas previously stated stem 8 has a bottom end inclining at about a 2degree angle to the stems axis for the purpose of formingjasemi-circular spinning edge 24 that will cause the top to travel whenplaced in rotary motion. Y

Quite a number of games can be played but for the sake of brevity only afew plays will be described in detail. e' Y K Assuming that a game is tobe played involving only addition and that a player has actuated the topand'that it has knocked down all the pins. The total play irrespectiveof the numerals on the faces of the pins is 350,-which amount isobtained by adding the positioning points ofthe pins or the fieldnumbers togetherandy these numbers comprise six points with each a valueof 25;

two points with each a value of 50 and one This playis possible but itis understood that it would rarely be made.

vNowassuming that a play wasmade'and only one of Vthe pins of 25 valuewas knocked down; and that the numeral 1 was upward on the pin the totalplay would be only 26;

Referring now to Fig. 1 with its arrangef ment of fields `andy playing agameinvolving theY four principal factors kof mathematics, it is assumedthat aplay is made in which allof the pins aleknocked down in each ofthe fields and that the numeral 8Yis yupwards on the thrown pins; the{calculations of additiomsubtraction, multiplicaV tion and. division areall accomplished be fore a final total is made by addition. In the fieldof addition a therevare two pins with a value of 25 leach which addedtotheir counter numerals of 8k would make a total off66. In the field ofSubtraction b there are two pins with a counter value of 50 each and twopins with a counterv value of 25 each making a sum of150 from which issubtracted the counter numerals 8 of each pin or 32 which would leave a,total of 118,

In the multiplication field c there is one pin with a value of 100 whichmultiplied by the counter numeral 8 of the pin would pro-k duce a totalof 800. A q

In the field of division there are two pins with a counter value of 25each making a sum of 50 which divided by the sum ofthe counter numeralsl8 of each pin or 16 would give a total of 3%; kmaking a grand total,when the sums of each field are all added'together, 0159875:

One' of the rules` of the game can kbe that a pin knocked from. onefield into another willcount'in the field in which it lies when the playis made. Now assuming that a playhas been made under this rule,with allpins knocked down with numerals 8 up and the Yfour mathematical factorsare employed as before; except that in this play the moving top hasknocked the pin e from the" multiplication field c over Vinto thedivision field d. Then the count 'would be as follows: addition andsubtraction would be the same with the respective amountsof 66 and 118.With no counter in theV field of multiplication vit would be eliminatedand pin e counted in the division field with its value of 100 addedkboard is subdivided into -four rectangular ields with a common corneron which is cenc Y Y tered thepin e that has the greatest counter value,and this pin is positioned so that it must tall into one of the fourfields of addition, subtraction, m'ultiplication or division, or acrossa division line between the iieldsin which instance it will not count;insuring an uncertainty as to what the value of this counter pin will bewhen it is knocked over. In other words it the pin e with a field value'of 100 falls and lies fully within the iield of addition with thegreatest counter numeral 8-upward on `the pin the total counting valueislOO plus 8 or 108. It pin e falls in the iield of subtractionr itstotal counting value is lOO-S or 92; and it it alls in the CR y field ofmultiplication the value is 100)(8 or 800 5 and if it Jtails in thefield Vof division itsvalue is 100 divided by 8 or 16%; if the pin fallsso that it touches o r lies on the intersecting lines ab-or y-g/ the pinhas no counting value.

The invention comprises a travelling top with which considerable skillcan be developed to so operate it as to cause it to move in directionsbest calculated to throw down the largest. number of pins. This skill isdeveloped in vthe manipulation of the means for spinning the travellingtop, the choice of position for releasing itand also the delicatefinger-touch imparted to the top as it moves` from the holder. i Inother words an operator can develop a touch that is imparted at the.moment of. releasing the spinning top that is effective in causing itto'move off in apredeterminedv direction'of travel similar to the touchlimparted to aball manipulated by a ball player.

From the foregoing it can readily be understood that a very wide rangeof mathematical calculations is possible with this game; with also thefactor that the participants will unconsciously acquire alertness,

skill and accuracy, withouty tedious study or arduous labor. Y

' For the sake of brevity the various unimportant rules for playing thegame are omitted- I claim 1. ln an educational game appliance com'-pri'sing a level field, and a wall enclosing said field; movable pinsadapted to bearranged on said iield, and adapted to have a countingvalue when knocked down; and posts arranged adjacent said pins forguarding them a traveling top having a stem the lower end of which isinclined, said top being adapted to spin on said stem and 'od center toits vertical aXis so that it will travel over said field to knock downsaid pins.

2. In an educational game appliance comprising a base on which arearranged a number of iields and a wall enclosing said ields;

movable pins arranged in the fields of said f elds of said base;4movable pins arranged in the fields of said base, and a traveling topfor moving over the ields' of said base to knock down said pins andbeing provided with a-.stem on which said top is adapted to spin, saidstem having a bott-oinend that is inclined oli" two degrees more or lessfrom a linev perpendicular to the axis of said stem.

4l. ln an educational game appliance the combination with a base onwhich are arranged a number of fields and a wall enclosing the ields ofsaid base; movablepins arranged in the ields of said base, said pinshaving a varied counting value when knocked over; posts for guardingsaid movable pins; of a traveling top for moving over the ields of saidbase to knock down said pins, said top having a stem with a semicircularedge on which the top is adapted to spin, said semi-circular edge beingofi center to a vertical axis through the top.

5. Inva'n educational game appliance the combination with a base onwhich Aare arranged a number ot ields; a wall enclosing the fields ofsaid base; movable pins arranged in the iieldsof said base, said pinshaving a varied counting value when knocked over; posts for guardingsaid movable pins; of a traveling top for moving over the fields ofysaid base to knock down said pins, i

said topfhaving a stem with asemi-circular edge on which the top isadapted to spin, said'seini-circular edge being off center to a verticalaxis through the top; and means for spinning` said top so that it willmove over the'tields of said base.

6. A topadapted for use with a game board, said top comprising a bodyportion and a stem connected to said body portion, said stem having abottom end that is inclined angularly to the longitudinal axis of saidstem.

l7. An educational game appliance comprising a base divided into anumber of iields; a wall enclosing the fields of said base; movable pinsarranged on said fields,

said pins having a varied counting jvalue when upset; postsiarranged torespectively guard said pins in various directions from said top; atraveling top for moving over,-

said fields and knocking down said pins; a

holder along the endV of said wall; land .means adapted to extend oversaid vvallffork spinning said top. v

48. An educational VVgame appliance comk 1 prising-a level base; fieldsof varied countlng value arranged on said base; a wall enclosing saidfields; movable pins: arranged on said fields, said pins having alvariedcounting value of from 1 to 8-whenknocked yizo down, and also said Vpinswhen knocked down and into afield impart a varied counting value tosuchknocked down pin; a traveling top for moving over said-field forknocking down said pins; posts` for respectively guarding said pins invarious directions from said top means connected to said top whereby itwill travel when spun; selective means for positioning said top forspinning; and meansorspinning said top 'within said wall.

9. An educational game appliance comprising a level base; fieldsarranged on said base; aA wall enclosing said fields; movable pinsarranged systematically on said fields; a traveling top for moving oversaid fields to knock down said pins; posts arranged systematically forguarding `said pins in various directions from said top; means connectedto said top whereby it will travel when spun; a holder; selective meansfor positioning said holder for spinning Vsaid for spinning said top. y

An educational game appliance comprising a levelbase; colored fieldsarranged top; and means extending over said wall onls'aidbas'e; awallenclosing said colored fields movable pins arrangedl systematicalzlyoncsaid fields; l posts arrangedsystematically for guarding said pine; atraveling Ytopfor moving over said fields to knock down sadpins; means.connected to said top wherebyit will travel when Spun; a holder;selective means for positioning said holder for spinning said top;`means for Vspinning said top; and resilient means conneeted with saidpos-ts and wall yfor delecting said top when it contacts Vwith eitherthe posts or wall.Y .y

11. An educational appliance comprising alevel base; Vcolored `iieldsarranged on said fbase; a wall enclosing said colored fields;

movable `pins arranged systematically on said fields; posts arrangedsystematically for guarding said pins; a traveling toprfor moving oversaid fields to knock down said pins; means connected to said top wherebyit will travel when spun; a holder; selective means for positioning saidholder for spinning said top; means for spinningsaid top; and arubberband on said wallandy rubber sleeves on saidnposts for defiecting saidtop when .it contacts with either the sleeves or rubber band. c

In testimony whereof, I have hereuntok set my hand 'at Los Angeles,California, this 14th day of February, r1922.

